HIV concern

[Frans99]

Doctor I have a few questions of you don't mind answering...I had an HIV mouth test at 56 days and a rapid fingertip blood test at 77-78 days.  Both neg.  I've been tested or the other common stds as well all neg.  I understand chlamydia an gonnorja show in a few days on test.  I had neg. herpes and syphilis test at 49 days post.  I also had hep b and c tests done at 63 days.

1-is my HIV test at this timeframe conclusive and accurate?
2-is my herpes/syphilis test accurate and conclusive?
3-is my hep b and c test accurate and conclusive?
4-I take care of someone on chemo and give them there drugs daily...can this affect my HIV testing?
5-if I caught hep b or c with the HIV would that delay a positive result for either disease?

Thank you and enjoy your weekend.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes.  A negative rapid antibody test is just as reliable as a lab-based test.

Try to ignore any more "yes but" or "what if" questions that may come to mind.  They are not likely to change my opinion or advice, so that will be all for this thread.

[Frans99]

And fnally just to clarify before i let you go my HIV using rapid test is 100% conclusive?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Having sex "30-40 times over a few weeks" doesn't say anything about the chance she had an STD.  But that's a lot of exposures, and if you believe she was having other partners at the same time, or had had multiple partners recently before you, there could have been substantial risk.  Still, given a heterosexual relationship, and assuming she isn't an injection drug user, hepatitis testing really wasn't necessary.  (We would not routinely offer it in my STD clinic, in a situation like this.)

Sharing a tooth brush is one of those often mentioned theoretical risks that rarely is a source of hepatitis in the real world.  That aspect makes no difference.

Regardless of the risk, your negative hepatitis results are reliable, so you needn't worry further.  However, you might wish to consider being immunized against hepatitis B, which is recommended for everybody, regardless of sexual lifestyle.

[Frans99]

Sorry for not being clear about my exposure....it was unprotected sex with a female about 30-40 times over a few weeks.  Reason I was concerned over hep.  Was because I used her tooth brush by accident after she did once. Your thoughts on everything now doctor?  Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.  I can help.

You don't describe the sexual exposure you are concerned about, but it sounds like you may have been overtested.  It is rare that all those tests are necessary after a single exposure.  That's especially the case for hepatitis testing.  (And contrary to popular beliefs, hepatitis C isn't sexually transmitted at all, except perhaps between some gay men who participate in traumatic/bloody sexual practices involving the rectum.)

To your specific questions:

1) Your negative HIV test results are conclusive.  Here is a thread from just yesterday, explaining why tests earlier than 3 months are usually conclusive despite official advice otherwise:      http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700

2) The syphilis blood tests are solid after 6 weeks (about 42 days).  HSV testing needs to be delayed to 3 months, sometimes even 4 months after exposure.  But the chance you caught HSV is probably low.  I don't recommend any more testing unless you have had herpes symptoms or your partner is known to be infected.

3) Your hepatitis tests were unnecessary, but the results are reliable.

4) This can have no effect on your test results for HIV or anything else.

5) There are no common illnesses or medications that have any effect on HIV test reliability.

All things considered, you really should not be worried at all.  But let me know if there is anything you don't understand.

Regards--  HHH, MD